Closure for a drinking bottle

ABSTRACT

The closure for a drinking flask comprises a closing cap ( 2 ) mountable onto a drinking flask opening and a shut-off and opening device (K) which includes a stationary part ( 4 ) which is stationary relative to the closing cap ( 2 ) and a sliding part ( 5 ) which is displaceable relative to the closing cap ( 2 ) which is moveable from a shut-off position into a drinking position in which liquid present in the drinking flask ( 1 ) can exit the drinking flask ( 1 ). The sliding part ( 5 ) is arranged around the stationary part ( 4 ), at least one restoring device ( 9 ) acts with a force directed away from the closing cap ( 2 ) towards the outside onto the sliding part ( 5 ). The sliding part ( 5 ) is located in the shut-off state in a outer position and is to be moved for the transition from the shut-off position into the drinking position inwards towards the closing cap ( 1 ) against the resistance of the at least one restoring device ( 9 ) into an inner position.

The present invention relates to a closure for a drinking flask in accordance with the introductory portion of claim 1.

Closures for drinking flasks of the art are sufficiently known and find use especially in the fields of leisure and specifically sports. Numerous designs of the applicant, in which a drinking nipple is supported axially displaceable moveable in a cap part, are present in the marked. In order to extract a liquid one pulls the drinking nipple out by ones teeth whereby an opening for the extraction of the liquid present in the flask is produced.

Such closures do excellently satisfy their object indeed but have, however, the drawback that they are relatively cumbersome to operate.

A further drawback consists in that if one forgets to bring the drinking nipple after the drinking again into the closed position, such can follow in an undesired escaping of liquid out of the drinking flask.

The object of the present invention consisted in providing a closure for a drinking flask which does not feature the above mentioned drawbacks.

This object is met by the features of the characterizing portion of claim 1. Further embodiments of the invention are defined in further claims.

The drinking closure in accordance with the invention features the advantage in comparison with the prior art of a more simple and more convenient operability. Furthermore, in comparison with the prior art, the risk of an undesired escaping of liquid due to a unintentional leaving the drinking closure open after the drinking is practically done away with.

An embodiment of the present invention is explained still more in detail with reference to figures. There is illustrated in:

FIG. 1 a drinking flask with a drinking closure mounted thereto, in a side view;

FIG. 2 a view from below of the arrangement according to FIG. 1, in an in part transparent illustration;

FIG. 3 a section along the line B-B of FIG. 2 through the closure according to the invention, with the sliding part in the drinking position;

FIG. 4 a section along the line B-C of FIG. 2 through the closure according to the invention, with the sliding part in the shut position;

FIG. 5 a section along the line A-C of FIG. 2 through the closure according to the invention and an upper portion of the drinking flask, with the sliding part in the shut position;

FIG. 6 a section along the line M-M of FIG. 2 through the closure according to the invention, with the sliding part in a drinking position; and

FIG. 7 the enlarged detail X of FIG. 3.

FIG. 1 illustrates in a side view a drinking flask 1 with a closure V in accordance with the invention mounted thereto. The drinking flask 1 is basically a known substantially cylinder shaped receptacle for the receipt of liquids. The closure V is set onto the neck of the drinking flask 1 and mounted thereto. The calotte shaped hood 3 which is pivotally mounted to the closure cap 2 through a hinge 30 protects the shut-off and opening device K (not visible in FIG. 1) located inside the hood 3 against dirt and impacts.

FIG. 2 illustrates a view of the arrangement according to FIG. 1 from below in an in part transparent illustration. Abutments 24 which are described in detail in FIG. 4 extend in a plane and are arranged staggered circularly relative to each other project from the inner wall of the closure cap. Between any two respective abutments a hole 27 is located.

In FIG. 3 there is illustrated a section along line B-B according to FIG. 2 through the closure V according to the invention, whereby the sliding part 5 is located in a drinking position. The closure V consists firstly of a closure cap 2, as well as of a shut-off and opening device K connected to the closure cap 2. The shut-off and opening device K includes a stationary part 4 which is stationary relative to the closure cap 2, as well as a sliding part 5 which is slidable in a direction towards the closure cap 2 and away from the closure cap 2, respectively.

The stationary part 4 and the sliding part 5 cooperate in such a manner that an opening is formed for a flowing out of the liquid from the flask between the stationary part 4 and the sliding part 5 if the sliding part 5 is located in predetermined positions which in this text are termed drinking positions relative to the stationary part 4, and that this opening is closed if the sliding part 5 is located in a predetermined position relative to the stationary part 4 which is in this text termed shut position.

The sliding part 5 is slidable from the shut position illustrated in FIG. 4 into a drinking position illustrated in FIG. 3, whereby the sliding part 5 is located in the shut position in an outer position relative to the closure cap 2 and in the drinking position in an inner position relative to the closure cap 2.

For the transitions from the shut position into the drinking position the sliding part 5 is to be moved from the outer position inwards, i.e. towards the closure cap 2 into an inner position, whereby the movement towards the inside proceeds against the resistance of resetting means in form of springs 9 which operate with a direction of action outwards, thus away from the closing cap 2, onto the sliding part. The displacing of the sliding part 5 from the shut into the drinking position proceeds generally by the mouth of the user.

Quite obviously other means instead of the springs 9 may be foreseen which strive to move the sliding part 5 towards the outside away from the closure cap 2 and into the shut position.

In the shut position the closure V is leak tight closed against the surroundings and no liquid can exit out from the inside of the flask whereas in the drinking position liquid present in the drinking flask 1 can exit the drinking flask 1 through the passage opening 52 towards the outside.

At the shut-off and opening device K a axis of symmetry S can be defined around which the stationary part 4 and the sliding part 5 are arranged, whereby the stationary part 4 and the sliding part 5 possess a symmetry of rotation relative to the axis of rotation S.

The stationary part 4 is designed in principle in the shape of a mushroom and includes a cylinder shaped shaft 40 which passes in direction of the free end into a in principle hemispherical plug section 41. The shaft 40 of the stationary part 4 extends in the direction away from the closing cap 2 outwards (in the drawing upwards). The stationary part 4 is equipped at its inner end with a collar 6 of an in principle circular cross section. Several connecting rods 60 which are circularly staggered relative to each other are affixed to the collar 6, which extend inwards towards the closing cap 2 and connect the stationary part 4 in such a manner to the closing cap 2 that the stationary part 4 is mounted to the closing cap 2 stationary relative to the closing cap 2.

The sliding part 5 arranged coaxially around the shaft 40 of the stationary part 4 has the shape of the jacked of a truncated cone which is terminated at the outlet end 50 of the sliding part 5 by a rounded surface 51. The rounded surface 51 is provided with a passage opening 52 arranged concentrically to the rounded surface so that the sliding part possesses a volcano—like outer contour. The shaft 40 of the sliding part 5 projects through the passage opening, whereby the plug portion 41 is located with a portion which has a larger diameter than the passage opening 52 outside of the sliding part 5.

The sliding part 5 includes at its inside a central tube like passage 54 which opens at the one hand through the passage opening 52 at the outlet end 50 of the sliding part 5 towards the outside and at the other hand is in a flow communication with the inside of the drinking flask 1.

A inner area 53 of the portion of the sliding part 5 for receipt into the mouth is followed by first sleeve part 7 of a in principle cylindrical shape, as well as a second sleeve part 8 arranged coaxially to the first sleeve part 7 of also a in principle cylindrical shape.

The closing cap 2 possesses a cylinder shaped center part 26 arranged around the sleeve part 8 of which the outer side is provided with an outer thread 22.

The closing cap 2 includes a annular channel shaped first guiding groove 20 in which the inner end 70 of the first sleeve part 7 is received and is guided therein axially displaceable relative to the axis of symmetry S.

Furthermore, a second, also annular channel shaped guiding groove 21 is foreseen at the closing cap 2 into which the inner end 80 of the second sleeve part 8 projects and is guided therein axially displaceable relative to the axis of symmetry S.

Thus, the sliding part 5 can be displaced through the guides formed between the first guiding groove 20 and the inner end 70 of the first sleeve part 7 as well as between the second guiding groove 21 and the inner end 80 of the second sleeve part 8 in a relative to the axis of symmetry S in the axial direction away from the closing cap 2, thus outwards (in the drawing upwards), as well in the direction towards the closing cap 2, thus inwards (in the drawing downwards) around the stationary first opening part 4.

The innermost position of the sliding part 5 illustrated in FIG. 3 is reached when the inner end 70 of the first sleeve part 7 strikes the bottom of the first guide groove 20.

In this position, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the sliding part 5 assumes a drinking position because a annular gap is formed between the shaft 40 and the through opening 52 through which liquid can exit from the inside of the drinking flask 1 towards the outside which can be specifically clear seen in FIG. 7 which illustrates the enlarged detail X according to FIG. 3.

Springs 9 are foreseen at the closure which act with a direction of action outwards, i.e. away from the closure cap 2 towards the plug section 41 onto the sliding part 5 and strive to urge the sliding part 5 with the exit opening 50 against the plug section 41 acting as abutment.

FIG. 4 illustrates the sliding part 5 in the shut-off position in which the edge of the through opening 52 acing outwards is pressed under the influence of the force of the springs against the plug section 41. In this outermost position which the sliding part can assume the through opening 52 is completely shut off by the plug section 41.

For instance collar shaped sealing elements may be placed at the through opening 52. In order to open the trough opening 52 the sliding part 5 must be moved inwards thus against the closing cap 2—against the restoring force of the springs 9, whereby the mentioned annular gap for the exiting of the liquid is formed between the shaft 40 and the trough opening 52 because the plug section is reduced inwards. I.e. a drinking position between stationary part 4 and sliding part 5 is arrived at as soon as the sliding part 5 is moved from the shut-off position inwards.

When the user releases again the sliding part 5 which has been moved inwards the sliding part is moved again under the influence of the restoring force of the spring 9 in to the shut-off position illustrated in FIG. 4.

In order to equalize the negative pressure produced during the drinking a aeration channel is foreseen which includes a annular gap portion 23 which is formed between the outer side of the cylinder shaped sleeve part 8 and the inner wall 25 of the closure cap 2. The annular gap portion 23 opens at the top into the hollow chamber 90 which communicates with the ambient air.

The lower end 80 of the sleeve part 8 is provided with a sealing lip of an elastic material formed rotation symmetric relative to the axis of symmetry S and as a truncated cone, which extends from the sleeve part 8 towards the inner wall 25 of the closing cap 2, presses with a pressing on force against the inner wall of the closing cap and closes in the shut-off position the annular gap channel 23 tightly in such a manner that neither air can penetrate trough the aeration channel from the outside into the inside of the flask nor liquid can leak trough the aeration channel outwards.

The air is aspirated during the drinking action through the hollow chamber 90 and from there further trough the annular gap portion 23 and the aeration gap formed between the sealing lip 81 and the inner wall 25 of the closing cap 2 and reaches finally through the holes 27 foreseen at the bottom of the second guiding groove 21 the inside of the flask.

Deforming elements project from the inner wall 25 of the closing cap 2 which in the presently illustrated embodiment are formed as abutments 24 of an elliptical cross-section. If the sliding part 5 is located in the shut-off position the sealing lip 81 is located further outwards in front of the abutments. If now the sliding part 5 is moved inwards, thus into a drinking position, the edge of the sealing lip 81 abutting the inner wall of the closure cap comes initially to contact the abutments 24 and is guided upon a continued inwards movement of the sliding part 5 over the abutments, whereby as a result of the movement between the sealing lip 81 and the abutments the sealing lip 81 is deformed elastically.

The setting of the deformation, i.e. the specification of the properties of the elements which take part in the deformation which are relevant for the deformation (such as e.g. shape, positioning and size of the deforming elements; elasticity and shape of the sealing lip 81) proceeds in such a manner that in drinking positions aeration gaps between the sealing lip 81 and the inner wall of the closure cap 2 are formed under the influence of the as generally known negative pressure produced in the inside of the flask during the drinking procedure. Because these aeration gaps are produced only at a negative pressure in the inside of the flask it is ensured that no liquid can leak from the inside of the flask through the aeration channel towards the outside.

FIG. 5 illustrates the upper end of a drinking flask 1 onto the flask neck of which the closure V is mounted. The outer thread 22 of the closure cap 2 engages an inner thread 11 foreseen on the inner side of the flask neck.

FIG. 6 illustrates a further section through the closure V according to the invention along the line M-M according to FIG. 2, whereby the sliding part is in a drinking position.

FIG. 7 illustrates the enlarged detail X of FIG. 3. 

1. Closure for a drinking flask with a closing cap (2) mountable onto a drinking flask opening, and a shut-off and opening device (K) which includes a stationary part (4) which is stationary relative to the closing cap (2) and a sliding part (5) which is displaceable relative to the closing cap (2) which is to be moved from a shut-off position into a drinking position in which liquid present in the drinking flask (1) may exit the drinking flask (1), characterized in that the sliding part (5) is located around the stationary part (4), at least one restoring means (9) acts with a force having a direction of action away from the closure cap (2) towards the outside onto the sliding part (5) and that the sliding part (5) is located in the shut-off position in an outer position and is to be moved for the transition from the shut-off position into the drinking position inwards, against the resistance of the at least one restoring means (9) into an inner position.
 2. Closure according to claim 1, characterized in that the sliding part (5) comprises inside a central passage (54) which is in flow communication at the one side with the inside of the drinking flask (1) and opens at the other side trough a passage opening (52) towards the outside and that the stationary part (4) comprises a passage portion which extends from the closing cap (2) away trough the passage (54) and the passage opening (52), and that the stationary part (4) comprises a plug section (41) following the passage portion outwards which is arranged outside of the sliding part (5) and is dimensioned in such a manner that it reaches in the shut-off position under the influence of the restoring means (9) directly or for instance trough sealing element indirectly into a abutment with the edge of the passage opening (52) and shuts the passage opening (52) completely off.
 3. Closure according to claim 2, characterized in that the sliding part (5) comprises a cylinder shaped or truncated cone shaped outer contour and is limited at the outlet end (50) by a rounded surface (51) in which the through passage (52) is foreseen and that the stationary part (4) comprises a shaft (40) which extends outwards from the through passage (52) and is equipped at the free end with the in principle hemispheric shaped plug section (41).
 4. Closure according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the closure comprises at least one aeration channel extending from the inside of the flask to the outer air and that a sealing lip (81) is connected to the sliding part (5) which in the shut-off position closes the aeration channel tightly and in the drinking position gives the aeration channel free for the entry of air into the inside of the flask and prevents in the drinking position simultaneously the exit of liquid out from the inside of the flask.
 5. Closure according to claim 4, characterized in that the sliding part (5) comprises a sleeve part (8) surrounded by the closing cap (2) which forms together with a inner wall (25) of the closing cap (2) a annular gap portion (23) of the aeration channel, that the sealing lip consists of a elastically deformable material and extends in the shut-off position between the sleeve part (8) and the inner wall (25) of the closure cap (2) tightly closing the annular gap portion (23) and that deformation elements project from the inner wall of the closure cap (2) over which deforming elements the sealing lip (81) is lead upon a inwards directed movement of the sliding part (5) and as consequence of the movement the sealing lip (81) is elastically deformed, whereby the deformation is set in such a manner that in drinking positions aeration gaps are formed between the sealing lip (81) and the inner wall (25) under the influence of a negative pressure prevailing in the inside of the flask. 